Message from the Chief Executive Officer

We serve the electricity industry in Ontario through the custom development and provision of specialized insurance, financial and business solutions. Like most reciprocals, MEARIE was formed as a direct result of the turmoil in the commercial insurance markets of the 1980s. From the beginning, MEARIE has created success in the dynamic environment of the electrical utility industry. Formed by and for electric utilities as a stop-gap solution to provide liability insurance protection for Subscribers at stable, competitive rates, The MEARIE Group has expanded and evolved to serve our clients’ needs. With steady client focus, The MEARIE Group has expanded over time to serve an array of customer needs including: a full suite of property/casualty insurance programs, group benefits, human resource services, trades, professional and management training, industry conferences and a variety of financial and business solutions - all targeted expressly to the electricity sector.

Our third decade has been truly transformative, driven by new opportunities and newly emerging risks, many technology-related. The Ontario Green Energy Act paved the way for entirely new renewable energy opportunities. These new forms of generation have been embraced by many LDCs. Smart meters and smart grids were introduced through this period inviting new thinking about electrical infrastructure and customers. Meanwhile, mergers and acquisitions continued to change the LDC landscape and one of the most prominent risks of our time has emerged: cyber risk. MEARIE has responded to all of this change through product development, client support and risk management initiatives. Multiple coverage adaptions and expansions have ensured LDCs’ risks are being adequately insured. The leading edge introduction of Privacy, Cyber & Network Security Liability insurance in 2012 was very important to the sector and has continued to be a focus through the ensuing years.

Our new corporate tagline, “Managing risk together,” speaks to our evolution, regarding both the collective nature of the Reciprocal as well as the broad spectrum of products and services The MEARIE Group delivers. These services are often insurance-based, but always in support of risk management through reduction, transfer or otherwise. Given the evolution of both the electricity and insurance industry over the past quarter of a decade, we look forward to the future and remain committed to being the trusted, member-driven resource, capable of providing viable, competitive, financial solutions for the energy sector.

We have been supported over the years by many people. I would like to thank past Board members, most especially previous Chairs, who have contributed so much of their time, energy and experience to this organization. I would also like to recognize our business partners and suppliers who have worked with us over the years. Together, we have made each other stronger. Most importantly, I would like to thank all of our subscribing members for their support of The Reciprocal. We wouldn’t be here without you!

We look forward to continuing to serve your needs for many, more years to come.